Nicholas Rossi denied name change in rape cases as court hearings are closed to public
US fugitive Nicholas Rossi who faked his own death and fled to Scotland to avoid rape charges, has been denied a request to change his name in an upcoming trial and will face closed-door court hearings in Utah.
The 37-year-old was extradited from Scotland in January 2024 after a protracted legal battle in which he claimed to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight. Scottish courts dismissed his claims as "fanciful," confirming his identity through fingerprints and tattoos.
He faces first-degree felony rape charges, which he denies, stemming from allegations in 2008. He was linked to the Utah County case through a 2018 sexual assault kit initiative.
A separate Salt Lake County case was initiated after a woman came forward upon seeing news of his extradition. His trials are scheduled for August and September 2025.
Fourth District Judge Derek Pullan on Tuesday ruled to close an upcoming evidentiary hearing to the public, citing concerns that pretrial publicity could compromise the jury selection process, according to reports from KSL News. It follows a similar decision by a Salt Lake County judge.
Rossi had requested that his case be referred to under the name Nicholas Alahverdian, one of several aliases he has used. However, Judge Pullan denied this request, stating that changing the case name could cause confusion.
Rossi's identity came to light when he was treated for Covid-19 at a hospital in Glasgow in December 2021. Staff recognised his tattoos - images of which had been circulated by Interpol - and he was arrested.
He had previously claimed to have died in 2020, even staging a memorial service, in an attempt to evade prosecution.
During a two-year l egal process he denied he was Rossi, continuing to insist his name was Arthur Knight and that he was the victim of mistaken identity.
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He explained away the tattoos, saying they must have been done while he was unconscious in hospital.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance signed an order granting Rossi's extradition in September 2023, and he was flown back to America in January.
Rossi remains in custody in Utah as he awaits trial. He has previously sought a plea deal with prosecutors, but no agreement has been reached.
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